]]>California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 8 on Sept. 28, a measure that will continue the state’s clean vehicle and fuel incentives through 2023.

Assembly Bill 8, authored by Assembly Member Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) and Assembly Member, Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) along with Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), passed on a bipartisan vote, and will provide more than $2 billion in funding to help fleets and consumers purchase clean and low carbon cars, trucks, buses, and construction equipment.

This bill represents the largest financial commitment by a state to cleaning up its transportation sector.

“The Governor’s signature on AB 8 means California can reduce its emissions, while continuing to partner with the business community to help them meet the State’s clean air goals,” said Assembly Member Perea. “Supporting emerging advanced transportation technology is a win for California.”

The programs that would be extended include the AB 118 clean fuel and vehicle programs and the Carl Moyer and AB 923 local air district funds for diesel emission reduction. The bills also dedicate funding, in lieu of regulatory action, to construct the fueling infrastructure necessary to support the impending introduction of zero emission hydrogen fuel cell cars.

“CALSTART and its 150 clean transportation tech member companies are extremely impressed and appreciative of the policy leadership from Assembly Member Perea and Senator Pavley, as well as Governor Brown. We were proud to have co-sponsored this legislation along with our very capable partners: The American Lung Association in California and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA). This investment by the state will greatly increase the chances that all Californians will be able to breathe clean air and that we will continue to be a leader in preventing climate change and creating clean transportation tech jobs in California,” said John Boesel President and CEO of CALSTART.

More than 100 business, civic, and environmental organizations supported AB 8. Among the other supporters were the California Trucking Association, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the California Farm Bureau.